Veterans Corner Sandra McKinney

What Does Veterans Day Mean to You?

By Sandra McKinney

“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as best he can, the same cause.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

November, the month of Thanksgiving, is certainly the month to specifically celebrate our gratitude for the many blessings we have acquired here in America; foremost to actually have our home called America, but also for our blessings of freedom, our right to worship, freedom of speech, democracy, civil rights, and to be protected from foreign threats.

Since the time of the Revolutionary War, soldiers have been fighting to secure our freedoms. It is very fitting that the month of November holds the celebration of Thanksgiving and also the celebration of Veterans Day. We are truly thankful for how the American soldiers and sailors have fought to protect our American soil and have served on foreign soil to stop threats from coming to America.

The United States of America would not be the great country it is today without the sacrifices of our military members, whether fighting here at home or in a foreign country. Our military has always stepped up to answer the call of duty. Today, we mostly see great respect and gratitude for our military members. Sadly, it has not always been that way. We cannot fathom what it was like during the Civil War to have our country divided, sometimes even brother fighting brother for a difference of opinion. But the victorious soldier returned home to respect and love.

In more recent time (though it was 40 plus years ago), many Americans exhibited a most horrendous attitude towards our American soldiers who served during the Vietnam War. These men and women were simply fulfilling the oath they took to the United States of America and did the job expected of them, only to return home to be shunned and disrespected and then to hide the fact of their service for many years.

It took the tragedy of September 11, 2001, to awaken respect once again for our American military. It was the Vietnam Veterans who paved the path of respect for our returning Gulf War veterans and in turn, ALL veterans soon garnered the appreciation and esteem that our US military so greatly deserve.

I personally love to see any veteran wear their cap stating the era and branch of their service. This makes it easy to recognize a veteran and to THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE and SACRIFICES.

Following are some comments from civilians on what Veterans Day means to them:

Jackie McKinney

To me, a veteran is a family member. My early years were filled with immediate family enlisting and serving in the military service. Recently, this also included my youngest daughter, Jessica, who served in the United States Air Force.

My father was career military in the United States Army. I was born at Ft. Sill Army Base in Oklahoma. Being raised in a military family, I learned to respect and honor our flag and military personnel. My father was a tough disciplinarian with an Army sergeant’s attitude. He served in WWII, and I am named after his best buddy in the Army.

I have witnessed a sense of pride in those serving and grew to understand the camaraderie and fellowship that veterans feel for one another, especially those who have served in combat. I have a great sense of patriotism and openly support all veterans.

I place these individuals, who have sworn to support and defend our constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, in high regard. Many have witnessed the horrors of war; many have paid the ultimate sacrifice, always protecting the freedom of our citizens, whether we are worthy or not. A veteran is an individual who believes in the chain of command and faithfully discharges his or her duty for all Americans.

“Missing in Action” hits close to home, as my mother’s brother (my uncle whom I never met) went missing during WWII when his plane was shot down. The devastation my grandparents, mother, and aunt felt over this loss changed their lives. My grandfather suffered the most from this loss of his son. Never knowing what happened to him probably took my grandfather to an early grave.

It is important that we honor our veterans and active duty military for placing themselves in harm’s way, on our behalf. Thank you to each of you for serving The United States of America.

Judy Jaramillo

Every Veterans Day, I see the day as special and try to set the day apart from my normal routines, taking time to recognize all the veterans, honoring veteran family members, friends, and all who have worn a uniform in the United States Military. These men and women deserve our respect and appreciation for serving our country and for doing their part in keeping the U.S. safe and secure. When one joins the military, they leave their community, family, friends, job, and their life behind.

How many of us can even imagine doing that?! They leave home knowing they may not ever return. That would be the ultimate sacrifice. Many did not return, and those who did had their lives changed for evermore. The least I can do is give one day a year to be specifically thankful and appreciative for our veterans. But in reality, I appreciate and respect our veterans every day of the year.

My father, Kenneth Leon Smith, served in the United States Navy during WWII.

My husband, Edward (Eddy) Jacob Jaramillo, served in the United States Army during the Vietnam war. He passed away in 2006.

My brother-in-law, Steve Starkovich, served in the United States Marines during the Vietnam war. Steve is always supportive, and I honor him in thanks for being in my life.

I feel closer to my husband and dad on Veterans Day. I miss them so very much. It is an honor to recognize them especially, but also to pay tribute to all veterans on this special day.

I have joined the Women Veterans and Family Support Group to become more involved with veteran issues. As the widow of a veteran, I truly appreciate the support I receive from the women of this group. We stay active in various projects and support all the veterans of the Brothers in Arms-Veterans Helping Veterans. This involvement also makes me feel closer to my late husband, Eddy.

I extend my gratitude to all veterans for serving our great country—The United States of America.

Mary Kramber

My parents divorced when I was 3, and I then grew up on military bases around the country as my step-father was career Army. I learned to respect the military at a very young age. My step-father was a combat veteran from the Korean conflict and did three tours in the Vietnam War. I knew what it was like to be surrounded by military soldiers returning from war.

I spent summers with my father. He had served in WWII. My father was a hero, saving many of his platoon when five times he picked up enemy grenades that had been thrown at them and threw them back at the enemy. The fifth grenade exploded early, injuring my dad. He received the Purple Heart and Silver Star. But because of that fifth failed grenade, one of his platoon members was killed, and my father carried guilt over that loss until the day he died.

My first husband was a Marine who served in Vietnam. He had severe issues from Agent Orange. Two of our granddaughters are serving in the United States Air Force.

My second husband is a United States Air Force veteran and suffers with issues from Agent Purple. We do not hear about that chemical very much, but he was exposed to Agent Purple while serving in Labrador, Canada.

Being around military all my life has instilled a great sense of patriotism in me. For this reason, Veterans Day is a very proud day when we recognize all the sacrifices our military members have made through the years for America’s freedoms.

I support our local veterans by being involved with the Brothers in Arms-Veterans Helping Veterans. I am honored that I have been able to participate in many flag-foldings for funerals and various other ceremonies. It is very important to me to see the flag appropriately handled. It is also an honor to work alongside the many veterans of the VHV. I thought it was a great day when the VHV established the Women Veterans and Family Support Group. I am proud to work with these women on various projects and to learn of some of the hardships that our women veterans have suffered and how to support them, too.

I love my veterans and truly appreciate that there is a designated day to recognize them–Veterans Day. I extend my thanks to all who have served or are serving in the military.

VETERANS DAY CEREMONIES

Monday, November 12, 2018

Please join us to pay respect to our veterans. • 10:00am at veterans plot at Hillcrest Cemetery for laying of the wreath for the unknown soldier. • 10:30am Parade forms at Gurley Motor parking lot on Aztec. Your entry is invited; no fee required.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. • Parade starts at 11:00am traveling east on Aztec to Court House Square. • Approximately 11:30am (following parade) Recognition Ceremonies at Court House • Fly-over scheduled for Noon.

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